Ultradwarf bermudagrass called &#34;ace dwarf&#34;

ABSTRACT

The Bermudagrass Ultradwarf cultivar ‘ACE Ultradwarf’ (RL-1) is a new and distinct variety of bermudagrass hybrid cultivar that is highly suitable for golf greens and other closely mowed find turf surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/506,869, filed on May 16, 2017, the content ofsuch is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

All patents, patent applications and publications cited herein arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The disclosures ofthese publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated byreference into this application in order to more fully describe thestate of the art as known to those skilled therein as of the date of theinvention described and claimed herein.

This patent disclosure contains material that is subject to copyrightprotection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosureas it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file orrecords, but otherwise reserves any and all copyright rights.

Field of the invention: Latin name of the genus and species of the plantclaimed: Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis hybrid.

Varietal denomination: ‘ACE Dwarf’ Bermudagrass.

The cultivar is especially suited for golf courses, golf greens,athletic fields, race courses, recreational parks, and/or residences.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. L. C. Rich) is one of the most important andwidely used warm-season turfgrasses. It is adapted to the warm- andsubtropic-climatic regions of the world. The turf-type Bermudagrassesare C₄, perennials that originated in southeastern Africa.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a new Bermudagrass variety, called ‘ACEDwarf’ Bermudagrass.

An aspect of the invention is directed to a new and distinctBermudagrass plant, substantially as herein shown, illustrated, anddescribed.

An aspect of the invention is directed to a Bermudagrass Ultradwarfhybrid cultivar substantially as herein shown, illustrated, anddescribed, wherein the cultivar is selected for resistance to anherbicide. In one embodiment, the herbicide is a glyphosate-containingherbicide. In another embodiment, the herbicide is Roundup^(™).

An aspect of the invention is directed to a Bermudagrass Ultradwarfhybrid cultivar, substantially as herein shown, illustrated, anddescribed, wherein the cultivar is selected for cold tolerance totemperatures of about 20° F. to about 38° F. In some embodiments, thetemperature is about 25° F. to about 32° F. In some embodiments, thetemperature is about 20° F., about 21° F., about 22° F., about 23° F.,about 24° F., about 25° F., about 26° F., about 27° F., about 28° F.,about 29° F., about 30° F., about 31° F., about 32° F., about 33° F.,about 34° F., about 35° F., about 36° F., about 37° F., about 38° F.,about 39° F., or about 40° F. In some embodiments, the temperature isbelow 20° F. In some embodiments, the temperature is above 40° F. (forexample, about 41° F., about 42° F., about 43° F., about 44° F., about45° F., about 46° F., about 47° F., about 48° F., about 49° F., or about50° F.).

An aspect of the invention is directed to a Bermudagrass Ultradwarfhybrid cultivar, wherein the cultivar is selected for frost tolerance totemperatures of about 28° F. to about 48° F. In some embodiments, thetemperature is about 32° F. to about 40° F. In some embodiments, thetemperature is about 28° F., about 29° F., about 30° F., about 31° F.,about 32° F., about 33° F., about 34° F., about 35° F., about 36° F.,about 37° F., about 38° F., about 39° F., about 40° F., about 41° F.,about 42° F., about 43° F., about 44° F., about 45° F., about 46° F.,about 47° F., about 48° F., or about 49° F. In some embodiments, thetemperature is below 32° F. In some embodiments, the temperature isabove 40° F. (for example, about 41° F., about 42° F., about 43° F.,about 44° F., about 45° F., about 46° F., about 47° F., or about 48°F.).

An aspect of the invention is directed to a Bermudagrass Ultradwarfhybrid cultivar, wherein the cultivar is selected for resistance to aglyphosate-containing herbicide and for cold tolerance to temperaturesof about 20° F. to about 38° F. In one embodiment, the herbicide is aglyphosate-containing herbicide. In another embodiment, the herbicide isRoundup^(™). In some embodiments, the temperature is about 25° F. toabout 32° F. In some embodiments, the temperature is about 20° F., about21° F., about 22° F., about 23° F., about 24° F., about 25° F., about26° F., about 27° F., about 28° F., about 29° F., about 30° F., about31° F., about 32° F., about 33° F., about 34° F., about 35° F., about36° F., about 37° F., about 38° F., about 39° F., or about 40° F. Insome embodiments, the temperature is below 20° F. In some embodiments,the temperature is above 40° F. (for example, about 41° F., about 42°F., about 43° F., about 44° F., about 45° F., about 46° F., about 47°F., about 48° F., about 49° F., or about 50° F.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a hybrid bermudagrass cultivar, named ACEDwarf (also referred to herein as RL-1, and MACH-1) grown in a pot afteridentified and excised from a golf green. This image shows growth for 2years without mowing and/or trimming.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a DNA gel.

FIG. 3 is a picture of “purple spots” appearing on Bermudagrass cultivarChampion. These spots do not appear on ACE Dwarf in response to coldexposures.

FIG. 4 are photographs of RL-1 planted on May 22, 2017. The RL-1cultivar is in the foreground with Tifeagle in the background. The TOPimage was taken at 3 weeks and the Bottom image was taken at 5 weeks.Both bermudagrass cultivars were planted on the same day.

FIG. 5 are photographs of RL-1 taken at 8 weeks (top) and twelve weeks(bottom).

FIG. 6 (TOP Photograph) The image with the arrows indicates thebermudagrass cultivars photograph taken on Mar. 1, 2018 before the firstmowing. MACH-1 (also referred to as RL-1 herein) is in the backgroundand Tifeagle is in the foreground. Tifeagle historically greened upfirst among the 3 major ultradwarf varieties. Here, RL-1 has beatTifeagle on spring green up. (BOTTOM Photograph) RL-1 this spring inTennessee. The picture with the Truck in the background has RL-1 in theforeground and Tifeagle in the background. The image was obtained onMar. 16, 2018 after the first spring mowing.

FIG. 7 is a photograph that shows a green planted with RL-1 in Camden,S.C.

FIG. 8 attached picture shows a pot of Tifeagle with Bermudagrass scale,which are small white pearls on stolons (left side) and a pot of RL-1without any scale (right side). The Tifeagle pot was intentionallyplaced close to the RL-1 pot to see if the scale would cross over. Afterone year, no scale formed on the RL-1. It is not common for Bermudagrassvarieties to get scale, but it does happen especially when aBermudagrass variety reaches terminal height. For example, cases ofBermudagrass scale have been reported on greens, for example greensplanted with Tifeagle.

FIG. 9 is a photograph of a golf green planted with RL-1 on May 12,2017. The golf ball sits on top of the grass and not down in the grasswhich allows for fast green speeds without mowing excessively low (TOP).RL-1 has a fine leaf blade texture and a dense surface. A very preciselyapplied growth regulator helps with these characteristics.

FIG. 10 are photographs showing bermudagrass varieties before beingsprayed with 2% Roundup (TOP image) and 1 month after spraying with 2%Roundup (BOTTOM image; pots from left to right: RL-1, Tifeagle (middle),and MiniVerde). A pot with the RL-1 variety is on the left stilldisplaying living green plant material; a pot with Tifeagle in thecenter shows nearly all browning; a pot with MiniVerde on the right alsoshows nearly all browning (Bottom photograph).

FIG. 11 are photographs showing RL -1 being propagated in pots onconcrete.

FIG. 12 is a photograph of RL-1 at terminal height, which also shows theshort internode length.

FIG. 13 is a photograph showing spring green up (2018) on Rounduptrials. Left to right: RL-1 , Tifeagle, MiniVerde. Green blades areobserved on the RL-1 variety.

FIG. 14 is a photograph of sample RL-1 sprigs taken from a turf green inCamden, South Carolina. The image shows small leaves and internodelength, when mowed at a height for turf greens (for example, 0.130inches or 0.100 inches for tournament greens).

FIG. 15 is a photograph showing a six-year old test green at theinventor's home in Olive Branch, Miss.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a new and distinct Bermudagrasshybrid plant. A hybrid bermudagrass cultivar, named ACE Dwarf (alsoreferred to herein as RL-1), is different from and morphologicallyadvantageous compared to other Bermudagrass cultivars. ACE Ultradwarf isdistinguished by a very high rate and density of lateral stemdevelopment, a very low vertical growth characteristic due to theextremely short internode length, a very short leaf length, a very lowterminal height growth, fine leaf width, and no seedhead development.

The common turf-type species of Cynodon include, but are not limited toCynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. or dactylon Bermudagrass, which is atetraploid (4n); and Cynodon transvaalensis (Burtt-Davy) or AfricanBermudagrass, which is a diploid (2n). The dactylon Bermudagrasses arecharacterized by a relatively coarse leaf width and lower shoot density.Without being bound by theory, the hybrid bermudagrasses have a morenarrow leaf width and a higher shoot density, lower terminal height, andshorter internode length.

Historically, two Bermudagrass varieties have been utilized on golfgreens, Tifgreen and Tifdwarf. In the late 1990s, however, use ofChampion Bermudagrass and other Ultradwarf Bermudagrasses became themost widely used on golf greens. Non-limiting examples of UltradwarfBermudagrasses include Floradwarf (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,030), Champion(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,888), Tifeagle (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,163),Mississippi Supreme (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,781), and Minverde (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 12,084). Although Ultradwarf Bermudagrasses can allow forlower greens mowing heights, their growth characteristics presentchallenges for greens and turf maintenance and management. The aspectsof these grasses' growth habits, which can be problematic, includewithout limitation very high shoot density, lateral growth which iscomprised almost entirely of stolons, and shallow rooting. Due to verylimited rhizome production, these grasses have less energy storage sitesand therefore recovery from injury can be more slower than largerBermudagrasses.

There are six components for assessing turfgrass quality: (a)uniformity, (b) density, (c) texture, (d) growth habit, (e) smoothness,and (f) color. These aspects will be discussed in further detail below.Color notations as discussed herein can be affected by light quality andfertility as well as general plant growth. Certain characteristics ofthe new plant may vary depending on the age of the plant, such thatcharacteristics such as dimensions, sizes, and/or colors areapproximations or averages since the variety has not been observed underevery possible environmental condition. Therefore, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art, the phenotype of the new cultivar candiffer from the descriptions depending upon environmental variations,which include but are not limited to, the season, climate, soil,temperatures, day lengths, light direction and quality, andfertilization, as well as other factors. The photographs and thedetailed description of the invention are intended to illustrate furtherthe invention and its advantages.

Abbreviations and Definitions

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural reference unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. The use of the word “a” or “an”when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/orthe specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with themeaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”

As used herein the term “about” is used herein to mean approximately,roughly, around, or in the region of. When the term “about” is used inconjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extendingthe boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. Ingeneral, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical valueabove and below the stated value by a variance of 20 percent up or down(higher or lower).

Origin of the Cultivar

The genotype “ACE Ultradwarf” variety is a new and distinct naturalturfgrass cultivar that was selected from a segregated patch of grassfound on a cultivated golf green in Memphis, Tenn. in 1998. This new anddistinct cultivar was noticed because of the dwarfness of the variety.The golf green had been originally planted with Tifdwarf hybridBermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon x Cynodon transvaalensis) in the early1970s. The ACE Ultradwarf grass was subsequently propagated from asingle sprig in one-gallon pots at inventor's facility/property in OliveBranch, Miss. It was then further cut into individual sprigs and plantedin 2 gallon pots. This was then propagated into a 1500 sq. ft. growtharea. A short lateral stem with multiple nodes was used for asexualvegetative propagation and to increase the original source of ACEUltradwarf.

Taxonomy

ACE Ultradwarf is a triploid hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon xCynodon transvaalensis). It is taxonomically identified as Cynodon xmagennis ii.

Morphological Characterization

Morphological characteristics measured include internode length, stolondiameter, leaf length and width, and the leaf length::width ratio.Measurements were made between the third and fourth node and on theouter leaf from the third node using digital calipers.

Compared to other ultradwarf Bermudagrasses, ACE Ultradwarf has a highershoot density, thatch production that is similar to other ultradwarfs,rhizome development that is similar to other ultradwarfs, normalrooting, and has prolific stolon production with slightly larger stolondiameter. Rooting depth for ACE Ultradwarf is normal. ACE Ultradwarf hasmore lateral stems in comparison to other ultradwarf Bermudagrasses. Theleaf blade color of ACE Ultradwarf is medium to dark green dependingupon fertilization.

This new and distinct combination of morphological characteristics hasbeen successfully retained through multiple generations of asexualvegetative propagation. These traits make ACE Ultradwarf useful for golfgreens, lawn bowling courts, and tennis courts.

Leaf Blade Width. Quantitative assessments of leaf blade widths showedACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) to have a smaller leaf blade width and very finecanopy texture. The leaf blade width of ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) was morefine than three hybrid ultradwarf Bermudagrass cultivars, being 8.7%less wide than Champion and MiniVerde (see Table 1), and being 12.5%less wide than TifEagle (see Table 1).

TABLE 1 Measurements of leaf blade widths. Leaf Blade Width Grass (mm)Champion 2.3 Mini Verde 2.3 TifEagle 2.4 RL-1 2.1

Leaf Blade Length. Quantitative assessments of leaf blade lengths showedACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) to have a very short leaf blade length. The leafblade length of ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) was dramatically shorter thanthree hybrid ultradwarf Bermudagrass cultivars, being 67.6% shorter thanChampion (conversely, Champion being 308.5% longer than ACE), 74.3%shorter than MiniVerde (conversely, MiniVerde being 389.4% longer thanACE), and 73.1% shorter than TifEagle (conversely, TifEagle being 372.3%longer than ACE) (see Table 2).

TABLE 2 Measurements of leaf blade lengths. Leaf Blade Length Grass (mm)Champion 14.5 MiniVerde 18.3 TifEagle 17.5 RL-1 4.7

Leaf Blade Length to Blade Width Ratio. Quantitative assessments of leafblade length to length blade width ratios showed ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1)to have a decreased leaf blade:::width ratio. The leaf blade length tolength blade width ratio of ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) was substantially lessthan three hybrid ultradwarf Bermudagrass cultivars, being 65.6% lessthan Champion, 72.5% less than MiniVerde, and 69.9% less than TifEagle(see Table 3).

TABLE 3 Measurements of Leaf Blade Length to Blade Width Ratios. LeafBlade Grass Length::width Champion 6.4 Mini Verde 8.0 TifEagle 7.3 RL-12.2

Internode Length. Quantitative assessments of internode lengths showedACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) to have a much shorter internode length. Theinternode length of ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) was significantly shorter thanthree hybrid ultradwarf Bermudagrass cultivars, being 54.1% shorter thanChampion, 56.8% shorter than MiniVerde, and 57.3% shorter than TifEagle(see Table 4).

Measurements of Internode Length. Internode Length Grass (mm) Champion46.4 Mini Verde 49.3 TifEagle 49.9 RL-1 21.3

Stolon Diameter. Quantitative assessments of stolon diameters showed ACEUltradwarf (RL-1) to have a slightly wider stolon diameter. The StolonDiameter of ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) was wider than three hybrid ultradwarfBermudagrass cultivars, being 11.5% greater than Champion, 8.0% greaterthan MiniVerde, and 12.6% greater than TifEagle (see Table 5). Withoutbeing bound by theory, having a slightly wider stolen can beadvantageous for energy storage and in injury recuperative ability. ACEUltradwarf (RL-1) has far less rhizomes than the older 328 Bermudagrassand therefore the ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) stolons become important inproviding storage sites. Without being bound by theory, the widerstolons can also be helpful when harvesting sprigs to vegetatively plantACE Ultradwarf (RL-1).

TABLE 5 Measurements of Stolon Diameter. Stolon Diameter Grass (mm)Champion 0.77 Mini Verde 0.80 TifEagle 0.76 RL-1 0.87

Inflorescence. No inflorescence were observed for ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1)as compared to three hybrid ultradwarf Bermudagrass cultivars.

Color. The color of ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) can vary from light green tovery dark green, depending upon the grass management and how themicronutrients are applied. Color can be managed to the individual'sliking.

ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) Turf Green Characterization and Management.Compared to other ultradwarf Bermudagrasses, ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1)distinguishes itself with a very high shoot density, shorter internodelength, small leaf length to width ratio and an exceptionally lowterminal height. These characteristics are what give ACE Ultradwarf(RL-1) its velvety texture and extremely smooth ball roll when managedcorrectly. Management observations have also demonstrated the ability ofACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) to be mowed at very low mowing heights, which isan absolute necessity for achieving today's requirement for very fastputting greens speed.

Because ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1)'s canopy is dense, there is a need toproperly manage the grass for thatch production and canopy density.Without being bound by theory, an effective way to manage such canopydensity and thatch production is through light and frequent topdressingin combination with light and frequent vertical mowing during thegrowing season. Proper Nitrogen fertilization is also a key component inthis management system. The best

Nitrogen management requires that only the necessary amount of Nitrogenshould be applied to keep the turf canopy dense, but not overly puffy orthick. All ultradwarf turf will develop excessive thatch when overlyfertilized with excess Nitrogen.

Without being bound by theory, when modern golf greens become too thickand thatchy, the greens tend to restrict the infiltration of water.However, this problem can be overcome by proper surface management andthe use of a soil wetting agent (e.g., a soil surfactant). The use ofsoil wetting agents have become an industry standard in golf greensmanagement with the new ultradwarf grasses in order to increaseinfiltration of water coupled with specific morphologicalcharacteristics that are expressed by ultradwarf bermudagrass cultivars.

Without being bound by theory, turf/greens grasses can develop grain ifnot properly managed. This is a response to phenotypic plasticity andcan be proven. The way to prevent all grain development is through theuse of changing mowing directions daily in conjunction with rotarybrushes and light frequent vertical mowing. If a grass plant is mowed ina single direction every day, it will develop grain going in thedirection of travel.

Representative Detailed Characteristics. A detailed description of thenew and distinct genotype of hybrid Bermudagrass named “ACE Ultradwarf”(RL-1) includes:

-   -   1. the leaf length is about 4-5 mm;    -   2. the internode length of stolons is about 21-22 mm;    -   3. the leaf width is about 2.1 mm under very close mowing;    -   4. no inflorescence is produced; and    -   5. no seeds are produced.

Performance Characterization

Herbicide Resistance.

Resistance to grass herbicides can provide a highly effective means ofcontrolling weedy grasses in various turf grass species. Exclusion ofundesirable weedy grasses can be accomplished by treating the area inwhich exclusive growth of resistant plant species is desired, withherbicides to which resistance has been established.

As used herein, “herbicide-resistant” or “herbicide-tolerant,” includingany of their variations, can refer to the ability of a plant to recoverfrom, survive and/or thrive after contact with an herbicide in an amountthat is sufficient to cause retardation of growth or death of anon-resistant plant of the same species.

In some embodiments, the herbicide can be contacted directly to theherbicide-resistant plant and to the weeds. For example, the herbicidecan be dusted, foamed, waxed, rubbed, and/or sprayed, directly over theherbicide-resistant plant and the weeds. In one embodiment, theherbicide can be applied in granular form directly over theherbicide-resistant plant and the weed. Alternatively, the herbicide canbe sprayed directly on the herbicide-resistant plant and the weeds.Other means by which the herbicide can be applied to theherbicide-resistant plant and weeds include, but are not limited to,dusting or spraying over an area or plot of land containing theherbicide-resistant plant and the weeds.

In some embodiments, the herbicide can be contacted or added to a growthmedium in which the herbicide-resistant plant and the weeds are located.The growth medium can be. but is not limited to, soil, peat, dirt, mud,or sand. In other embodiments, the herbicide can be included in waterwith which the plants are irrigated.

As described herein, ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) has herbicide-resistantcharacteristics as compared to other Bermudagrass cultivars. In someembodiments, ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) can withstand the immediate effect ofgrowth inhibition caused by selective herbicides (e.g., herbicides thatinclude the active ingredient fluazifop (i.e., Fusilade, Ornamec, andGrass-B-Gon), or clethodim (i.e., Envoy)) and/or non-selectiveherbicides (e.g., Glyphosate (i.e., Roundup)). Representative examplesof herbicides that can control the growth of Bermudagrass cultivarsinclude, but are not limited to, ureas, sulfonylureas, glyphosate,(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4D), acetochlor, alachlor, anilofos,butachlor, benfuresate, cafenstrole, dimethenamid-P, fentrazamide,indanofan, Imazaquin, Imazamox, Imazapic, Imazapyr, flufenacet,mefenacet, s-metolachlor, molinate, pethoxamid, pretilachlor,prosulfocarb, pyroxasulfone, thenylchlor, Triclopyr Amin, andthiobencarb. In one embodiment, a combination of herbicides disclosedherein can be used to control growth of Bermudagrass cultivars. In oneembodiment, a combination of herbicides disclosed herein can be used tocontrol growth of ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1). Growth regulators as understoodby the skilled artisan can also be used to control growth ofBermudagrass cultivars (e.g., ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1)) which include, butare not limited to Trinexapac-ethyl, Flurprimidol, Mefluidide,Paclobutrazol, Ethephon, and Prohexadione Calcium.

Pesticides.

Representative examples of pesticides that can readily control thegrowth of bermudagrass cultivars, but not necessarily ACE Ultradwarf(RL-1) include, but are not limited to, fluazifop (i.e., Fusilade,) andGlyphosate (i.e., Roundup).

Cold Tolerance and Frost Tolerance.

Environmental stress such as low temperature threaten the survival ofplants, especially those unable to withstand these types of extremeconditions. For example, warm season grasses (e.g. Bermudagrass, St.Augustine grass, etc.) will grow as rich green carpets in coldernorthern regions of the U.S. during the warm summer months but thenduring the fall and winter they wither, turn brown and become dormantand frequently die from cold temperatures, thus requiring seasonalreseeding or resodding, and the like in the spring.

As used herein, “cold tolerance,” “freeze tolerance,” “cold hardiness,”and “response to cold” can refer to the ability of a plant to live at orfollowing exposure to a low temperature (e.g., its survivability).

As used herein, “frost tolerance” can refer to the length of time aplant is able to maintain its green color as the fall and winter monthsset in and conversely, the length of time a plant is able to regain itsgreen color as the spring months approach (e.g., how quick the plant isable to recover from dormancy).

As described herein, ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) has cold tolerancecharacteristics as compared to other Bermudagrass cultivars (see Example3 herein).

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Exemplary methods and materialsare described below, although methods and materials similar orequivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice ortesting of the present invention.

As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from a readingof this disclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure can beembodied in forms other than those specifically disclosed above. Theparticular embodiments described herein are, therefore, to be consideredas illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art willrecognize, or be able to ascertain, using no more than routineexperimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific embodimentsdescribed herein. The scope of the invention is as set forth in theappended claims and equivalents thereof, rather than being limited tothe examples contained in the foregoing description.

All publications and other references mentioned herein are incorporatedby reference in their entirety, as if each individual publication orreference were specifically and individually indicated to beincorporated by reference. Publications and references cited herein arenot admitted to be prior art.

EXAMPLES

Examples are provided below to facilitate a more complete understandingof the invention. The following examples illustrate the exemplary modesof making and practicing the invention. However, the scope of theinvention is not limited to specific embodiments disclosed in theseExamples, which are for purposes of illustration only, since alternativemethods can be utilized to obtain similar results.

Example 1—DNA Analysis of RL-1 (“ACE Dwarf”)

Bermudagrass cultivars, such as Champion, Mini Verde, TifEagle, TifWay,and TifDwarf, were used as controls for testing the unknown sample ofRL1 (“ACE Dwarf”). Leave tissues of control cultivars were all collectedfrom plants grown in the USDA greenhouse in Tifton, Ga.

Methods. Genetic DNA was extracted using CTAB method and quantifiedusing Nanodrop 2000i. All DNA was diluted to 50 ng/ul. PCR was carriedout with 23 polymorphic SSR makers. Chase 109 and ES298613 were the mostinformative SSR markers for the investigated cultivars and gel imagesfrom these markers are shown in FIG. 2.

Results. DNA test results showed that RL1 is Champion type and usingthese markers RL1 is indistinguishable from Champion. Champion and MiniVerdi are very close genetically, however there are minor differencesbetween them (see box on gel profile of ES298613).

When using DNA fingerprinting, it is possible to state that two linesare genetically different but it is never possible to say with absolutecertainty that two lines are genetically identical, since all possiblemarkers and comparisons have not been made. Without being bound bytheory, RL-1 is indistinguishable from Champion using ES298613 and Chase109 markers. Without being bound by theory, RL-1 can be geneticallydifferent from Champion once a marker that will distinguish them hasbeen identified. RL-1 (ACE Dwarf) morphologic and physical phenotypes asdiscussed herein indicate genetic differences as compared to Champion.

Example 2—Roundup Tolerance of RL-1 (“ACE Dwarf”)

A Roundup application was applied 3 times to a small plot of RL-1 thatwas no longer being used. The application rates and timing were asfollows:

1st application (May 15th, 2015): Concentration of Glyphosate in RoundupApplication was 4% of the solution;

2nd application (Jun. 1, 2015): Glyphosate at 4% concentration; and

3rd application (Jun. 20, 2015): Glyphosate at 4% concentration

After the first application of Glyphosate, ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) did notshow the severity of injury that had been initially observed with thefirst applications that were associated with other BermudagrassUltradwarf cultivars.

Surprisingly, after two applications of Glyphosate, a significant amountof live material remained in the plot, about 25% of ACE Ultradwarf(RL-1) as compared to other Bermudagrass cultivars, such as Champion andMiniVerde. After 3 applications, ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) still displayedgreen leafs in the canopy at about 5%.

The concentration of Glyphosate to kill Bermudagrasses according tomanufacturer's instructions comprises 2% of the solution applied.Bermudagrass Ultradwarf cultivars, such as MiniVerde, Champion, andTifEagle, on golf greens were killed using the technique describedabove. Ultradwarf Bermudagrass cultivars, such as MiniVerde, Champion,TifEagle, did not survive after 3 applications of Glyphosate at 4%concentration.

A comparative Glyphosate application will also be conducted to observehow ACE Ultradwarf (RL-1) compares to two other Bermudagrass Ultradwarfcultivars MiniVerde and TifEagle. A 1% concentration and a 2%concentration of Glyphosate will be used in these studies since thoseare the concentrations as directed by the manufacturer's label.Glyphosate is not effective on dormant turf, only actively growing greentissue thus the study will not be conducted during the winter months.

Example 3—Cold Tolerance of RL-1 (“ACE Dwarf”)

FIG. 3 is a picture of “purple spots” appearing on Bermudagrass cultivarChampion after 14 days of at/near freezing or below freezingtemperatures (e.g., 32° F.). Unlike Champion, Tifdwarf and otherBermudagrass cultivars, ACE Dwarf (RL-1) did not turn purple in responseto cold weather stress, indicating a tolerance for frigid temperatures.

Example 4—Frost Tolerance of RL-1 (“ACE Dwarf”)

Fall color retention observations are typically used to assess theability of a grass to hold color during the changing climatic conditionsof fall, including chilling, frost, and shorter days and daylight hours.ACE Dwarf (RL-1) retained significantly more green color throughout fallthan Champion or Tifdwarf.

Bermudagrasses are typically dormant in winter. However, ACE Dwarf(RL-1) held its color even in January when other cultivars such asChampion and Tifdwarf were significantly more dormant. This trait of ACEDwarf (RL-1) would be very desirable in areas with mild winters andwhere temperatures often do not fall below freezing.

Example 5 -Test Plots

A 5,400 ft² research green of MACH 1 (also referred to as ACE Dwarf(RL-1)) was established from sprigs during May 2017. Sprigs wereprovided and planted on May 22, 2017. A second research green ofidentical size was established using TifEagle sprigs from the Universityof Georgia on the same date. Since establishment, both areas have beenmaintained as golf course putting greens with respect to irrigation,fertilization, and mowing.

Mach 1 established rapidly during the summer of 2017 in Knoxville, Tenn.A direct comparison of establishment rates between Mach 1 and TifEaglecould not be made at the site given that Mach 1 was planted at asprigging rate 5x greater than TifEagle. All cultivars were mowed at a0.125″ height-of-cut within 11 weeks after sprigging. After bothsurfaces reached 100% cover during late summer, Mach 1 was found to havegreater turfgrass quality than TifEagle, a result of leaf tissue beingdarker green in color. No plant growth regulators have been applied toeither green since planting.

Air temperatures in Knoxville were quite severe during January 2018,with minimum temperatures falling below freezing for 21 days during themonth. Moreover, the maximum air temperature did not exceed freezing foreight days during January 2018 as well. Using a typical golf coursemanagement protocol, both Mach 1 and TifEagle were covered with a winterprotective cover (S&S Covers. Convington, Ga.) when air temperatureswere forecasted to fall below 25° F. Both Mach 1 and TifEagle survivedthese hazardous winter conditions in Knoxville and emerged from dormancyduring spring 2018. After emergence, the rate of spring green-up on Mach1 exceeded that of TifEagle. Additional growth studies are ongoing onthese plots.

EQUIVALENTS

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, usingno more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to thespecific substances and procedures described herein. Such equivalentsare considered to be within the scope of this invention, and are coveredby the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Bermudagrass plant, substantiallyas herein shown, illustrated, and described.